08-08-2025
Efforts to preserve tribal art forms to be stepped up, says Minister
Minister for Local Self-Government M.B. Rajesh has said that efforts to pass on tribal art forms to the new generation will be stepped up as part of a broader government initiative to ensure the comprehensive development of indigenous communities in the State.
He was speaking at the State-level inauguration of the Jana Galsa project as part of the International Day of the World's Indigenous Peoples.
The Minister said that the Kudumbashree's work since 2009 on tribal welfare had been exemplary. He emphasised that the government was implementing integrated projects to improve the lives and livelihoods of tribal populations.
Highlighting key achievements, Mr. Rajesh said that the Scheduled Tribe Special Scheme, which was launched in Attappadi in 2013 and expanded Statewide in 2016, had improved the market access of tribal entrepreneurs. Products like Hill Value from Attappadi, 'Van Dhan' from Wayanad, and 'Gamthe' from Nilambur are now competing with mainstream brands.
At present, 98% of tribal families in the State are part of Kudumbshree neighbourhood groups. A total of 1,24,904 families are associated through 7,135 general and special groups. As part of employment generation, training was given to 2,893 youths for Public Service Commission (PSC) tests, and 193 of them secured jobs, while 394 have found a place in the rank list. Additionally, 1,480 people have found employment through skill development under the Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Grameen Kaushalya Yojana.
The Minister also said that enhanced livelihood opportunities were being extended to the agricultural and animal husbandry sectors. Key projects like the Kudumbashree Tribal Enterprise and Innovation Centre, Communicore (English training for tribal children), Kanas Jaga 2.0 (to foster creativity in children), and community kitchens will be executed more vigorously in the coming months, he added.
